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Jan. 28, 2009
CONCORDIA MAN SENTENCED TO TWO MONTHS IN PRISON FOR LYING ABOUT HARASSING BLACK YOUTH
TOPEKA, KAN. – Andrew S. Ralph, 22, Concordia, Kan., has been sentenced to 2 months in federal prison for lying to an FBI investigator about a drunken incident in which a black student was tied and taunted with racial epithets, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker announced today.
U.S. District Judge Sam Crow also ordered Ralph to complete 100 hours of community service at an agency that will expose him to a culturally diverse population and 20 hours of cultural diversity and cultural awareness training. The U.S. Probation Office will supervise those provisions of the sentence. After Ralph completes the term in custody, he will be placed on supervised release for 2 years.
Ralph pleaded guilty in July 2008 to one count of making a false statement to federal investigators. In his plea, Ralph admitted that on May 19, 2007, he attended a high school graduation party hosted by co-defendant David B. Endsley in Waterville, Kan., which is part of the Waterville/Blue Rapids community. Most of the people at the party, including the defendants and the victim, consumed alcohol.
About 2 a.m., co-defendant Endsley found the victim, J.L., asleep on the ground and put him in a lawn chair. Endsley said that he was going to “tie the nigger up.” While the victim was tied, the defendants -- including Ralph -- directed racial slurs at him and urinated on him. Endsley used a can of spray paint to paint the victim’s arms and legs white. The defendants -- including Ralph -- told the victim he should go back where he came from before he moved to the Waterville and Blue Rapids area.
On Aug. 14, 2007, an FBI agent interviewed Ralph about the incident. Ralph falsely denied witnessing or participating in the incident.
In July, Endsley pleaded guilty to one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing and one count of making a false statement to investigators. He is awaiting sentencing. Also in July, co-defendant Isaac Q. Clark pleaded guilty to one count of criminal interference with the right to fair housing. In October 2008, he was sentenced to 2 years probation.
Parker commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Kathleen Monaghan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.